Would like to plan a trip up to the Mirimichi for some spring fishing, would like to do it without spending a grand(or two) staying in some deluxe accommodations or guides that cater to the higher echelon of clientele(although that would be pretty sweet). I am just looking for a roof over my head and a guide to adhere to NB laws. Any suggestions?

There are several motels around Doaktown; you might google them up and see what their rates are and if they know any guides. In spring, it's one guide, one sport per boat.

How many days are you thinking of, and when? I have a close friend that is a retired outfitter that rents his camps (you furnish groceries and do the cooking) and he provides a boat and guide. I would contact him if you have specific dates and are interested in that.

Probably for a max of 2 nights, depending on the digby ferry, plus I'm still in lobster season so dates will vary at this point, just eager to swing some flies, it's a sin they hold us till June 1st for salmon

"The true purpose of a fly rod is to prevent its bearer from being arrested for vagrancy, for the delight of trout fishing is not the full creel but things seen and people met. A roughly dressed man idling with a rod in his hand is an angler; without it he is a vagabond." Sparse Grey Hackle

Good luck on your trip, the cost of a guided lodge trip these days is getting out of reach for many. Enjoy!

I know right! New Brunswick requires a guide for non NB residents.. It's good because it pumps money into the local economy... but for the Spey bums it's hard to convince the wife that I need to spend a couple grand for a four day trip. In comparison a 5 day Trip on the Margaree maybe costs 400 bucks or even less if I sleep in my truck. Might be upgrading to a tent this year

The costs of fishing the Miramichi seems exorbitantly expensive. My girlfriend and I will be driving from the east coast to Ottawa in June and wanted to stop to fish the Miramichi for a day. Once you add a modest night's accommodations ($80), the cost of a day's guiding ($250-300), and two 3-day fishing licenses ($130), you're paying over $500 for a single day of fishing. As young adults/students it becomes unfeasibly. It's too bad they've made the river financially inaccessible to some.

I agree that the cost can seem relatively expensive if you haven't done a lot of salmon fishing before, but the Miramichi is a bargain compared to to some salmon lodges that can bill $20k a week.

When fishing a new river for the first couple of times, a guide can be worth their weight in gold. Local knowledge of the water, where the fish are, and how to fish to them can make the difference between a solid skunking and having a great trip.

Rural NB does need the employment provided by guiding. One might think of it this way - the Miramichi is local NB treasure. One way to leverage that resource and generate local revenue is to require those visiting from out of province, taking advantage of the bounty of the river, to pump a few $ into the local economies.

If you're really set on very economical salmon fishing, most rivers in Quebec have unreserved public sectors for very reasonable rates ($40-$75 daily). However, my point about using a guide for figuring out the waters, knowing where the fish are, and how to fish to them instead of floundering around on your own still applies.

The costs of fishing the Miramichi seems exorbitantly expensive. My girlfriend and I will be driving from the east coast to Ottawa in June and wanted to stop to fish the Miramichi for a day. Once you add a modest night's accommodations ($80), the cost of a day's guiding ($250-300), and two 3-day fishing licenses ($130), you're paying over $500 for a single day of fishing. As young adults/students it becomes unfeasibly. It's too bad they've made the river financially inaccessible to some.